BEDFORD, Mass., Apr 04, 2012 -- Celebrating U.S. innovation in robotics, the third annual National Robotics Week will take place April 7 - 15. Designed to get students excited about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), National Robotics Week serves to increase public awareness about the growing importance of robots in education, industry and the future of the U.S. economy.

Breaking new ground for national participation, more than 135 regional events and activities geared toward K-12 students are planned in all 50 states put on by robotics companies, universities and organizations throughout the country. Each event offer opportunities for the public to interact with robots in hands-on learning environments. Panel discussions, robotics competitions, introductory courses on robotics for kids, educational workshops for businesses, robot demonstrations and tours of innovative labs provide networking opportunities and expose all to the excitement of robotics. For a complete list of all National Robotics Week events taking place across the country, go to: www.nationalroboticsweek.org/events .

As founding co-sponsor of National Robotics Week, iRobot Corp. IRBT -0.35% actively promotes robotics as a pillar of 21st -century American innovation for its ability to inspire technology education. SPARK, Starter Programs for the Advancement of Robotics Knowledge is iRobot's unique and multi-faceted educational outreach initiative. Designed to inspire students to choose careers in the robot industry and become the roboticists of tomorrow, SPARK uses the wonder and genius of robots to inspire K-12 students' interest in STEM subjects.

"Robots are a part of our daily lives, providing smarter ways to clean our homes, protect those in harm's way and extend the independence of our increasing aging population," said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. "A celebration of U.S. talent and ingenuity, National Robotics Week has emerged as an important platform to highlight the growing importance of robotics. iRobot is extremely proud to be a part of this important initiative through our SPARK program."

In 2009, Congress established the second week of April as National Robotics Week in recognition of this growing sector of the U.S. economy (H.Res. 1055). Since then, robotics experts across industry and academia have joined together to build this "national platform" for robotics technology.

"Robotics play a vital role in a broad array of our leading domestic industries and have spurred countless advances in health care, manufacturing and laboratory research, while also providing life-saving technology for our military personnel on the front lines," said Representative Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.). "The robotics industry creates jobs that help the U.S. maintain a competitive advantage in the innovation economy."

For more information about National Robotics Week, go to: www.nationalroboticsweek.org . National Robotics Week is also on Twitter (@roboweek and #roboweek) and Facebook (facebook.com/roboweek).

About the National Robotics Week Advisory Council

The NRWAC's goal is to recognize robotics technology as a pillar of 21st century American innovation, highlighting its growing importance in a wide variety of application areas and emphasizing its ability to inspire technology education.

The National Robotics Week Advisory Council is organized by iRobot Corp. IRBT -0.35% and The Technology Collaborative, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit economic development organization, along with a number of other companies, universities and organizations including: Adept Technology ADEP -0.40% ; the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); AUVSI Foundation; Autodesk; Carnegie Mellon University; FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology); Georgia Institute Of Technology; Infamous Robotics; Instructables; Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council; Museum of Science, Boston; Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; National Center for Manufacturing Sciences; Robotic Industries Association (RIA); The Tech Museum in Silicon Valley; Stanford University and King Features.

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